What It Means To Be Spiritual!!
A distant observer's view of the efforts by Swami Agnivesh to seek Political Spirituality.
On a recent visit to India we had a chance to witness the unrest among the religiously oriented public and the efforts of some of the Spiritual and social activists.
These were the people who were really pained to see the secular fabric of India being sheared with the scissors of 'Divide and Rule' policy.
These were the thoughts which flashed my mind who always thought India to be a spiritually evolved society.
What is being spiritual?
Being spiritual may mean observing the written codes and laws within one's own religion,
Or, absorbing the essence of all religions, and respecting each religion for its merits
Or, it could mean different things to different people at different times.
One way could be to combine all the virtues of human society, giving it a form and name to those virtues which is worthy of prostrating.
Another way of looking at it is, those same virtues in human beings which is worth worshiping.
Following the goodness alone could become the base on which spirituality can be judged.
Some religions worship their holy book, some worship the spirits, some worship nature, some feel comfortable focusing their prayers on idols, yet others revere fire which purifies everything.
Every religion seems to be teaching and practicing goodness, in essence.
A majority of people are either religious or spiritual.
Is it possible to observe spirituality with or without religion?
If one draws inspiration from God Almighty who is the embodiment of kindness and compassion which is present in every human being,then every individual should be committed to spread the same.
kindness and compassion as a character in human being need not be associated with religion.
One religion is not less kind than the other.
So whether it be social, political, religious or any type of natural calamity should one resort to destroying, attacking, terrorizing and violence?? While the issues need practical unbiased solutions, should one focus on destroying lives of unconnected,vulnerable and innocent ??
Whether we can call ourselves 'modern' in any sense is a question to be asked. while the society is evolving and also changing with education, the thinking seems to be to cling more to one's religious fundamentalism.
Rather than exercise the knowledge to wipe out misconceptions and dogmas, the society is taking a dive towards " follow faith unquestioned".
In some spheres religions, faiths for centuries have been playing a constructive role if we take a look at the cohesiveness in a society. Human beings have derived psychological support to stay together in times of crisis.
At the same time the one who acquired knowledge more than the others used the same to become more powerful and the religion became constrictive rather than constructive.
To bring solace to the unrest being faced by the society which one of the following is going to help?
Is it politicization of religions ?
Is it dividing and regrouping of society on the basis of caste, religion, tribe, region,language,capitalists,communists,socialists,etc., etc,. etc.?
As the elections are approaching is any one party calling/addressing the younger generation,labour -migrants or otherwise,farmers,landless,children,women or the excluded?
Can we spiritualise politics?
Could anyone belonging to one religion serve the PYRAMID'S base in the political system? The top of which is standing proudly and ruling the nation.
Is not the base of PYRAMID made of the 80% underprivileged,poor, neglected,homeless (homeless are not even given voting power because they don't have an address, while at the time of elections they are literally picked up and taken to booths to caste their votes!!).
To think of equal rights to health, education, food, shelter to everyone is spirituality.
To plan for the social emancipation is spirituality.
To touch the hearts of millions of the untoucheables through their upliftment is spirituality.
At the least address the needs of the needy.
The Arya Samaj leader, Swami Agnivesh along with other dedicated social activists, senior lawyers,religious leaders,journalists and academicians has been meeting and discussing a way out and a way forward to achieve some sense during the time of crisis.
These are the 'OLD' citizens with 'YOUNG' ideas with years of experience behind them.
Leaving their caste, religion, positions,egos behind, they get together to think of a" future for the future not bothering that they have very little future".
One wishes these bravehearts are heard by the 80%. It would become history of sorts when the leader among them wins the elections.
The political history once again will be rewritten in the pages of Ahimsa.
It should be a silent coup.
With the right thinking political top the 'PYRAMID' will become a flat base on which everyone will get equal space to live in peace .......
SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING!!!!!!!
tanu kumar
from USA
